The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, on Monday, announced plans to allocate farmland in satellite towns to genuine farmers as part of efforts to address food insecurity.
Speaking in Abuja during the commissioning of the newly constructed rural road linking A2 Junction (Abuja-Lokoja Expressway) to the Pai community in Kwali Area Council, Wike highlighted the agricultural potential unlocked by the new road network.
The road project is one of 17 initiatives undertaken by the FCT Administration, currently being commissioned by President Bola Tinubu to mark his second year in office.
Wike emphasized that the improved access to rural areas would boost economic activities, particularly farming, and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting agriculture.
“There is so much land available, yet we talk about food insecurity,” he said. “We are ready to compensate local communities and allocate land to serious farmers who are willing to cultivate it. This will contribute significantly to the federal government’s efforts to tackle food insecurity.”
He stressed that the offer is intended strictly for committed farmers, not those seeking to hold the land for speculative purposes. According to Wike, so-called “political farmers” often acquire land without any intention of farming, only to profit when development reaches the area.
President Bola Tinubu also highlighted the untapped potential of the extensive arable land in satellite towns and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing agricultural output.
During his remarks, he noted that the journey to the event site revealed numerous opportunities for economic growth and emphasized the importance of establishing ranches and driving rural development to improve the lives of people in those areas.
“We saw signs of opportunity and prosperity along the way, along with a clear need for structured grazing and rural infrastructure,” he stated.
Tinubu stressed the importance of empowering farmers and livestock owners to create sustainable grazing systems and take the necessary steps to boost productivity.
“What was once seen as a burden or a source of conflict can be transformed into a path to prosperity,” he added.
